The alumni, faculty and staff past and present who built bachelor’s degree completion into the program with FPU’s largest enrollment celebrated 20 years of success May 6.

More than 2,500 graduates of 241 cohorts have graduated from DC since the first cohort began in 1991 under the leadership of Dennis Langhofer, Ed. D., whose retirement was included in the evening festivities in Shehadey Dining Room in Steinert Campus Center.

The first graduates of the RN-BSN program graduated December 11. The degree is a bachelor of science in nursing with a focus on leadership.

The group, known as a cohort, began February 2009 at the North Fresno Center. There are currently two cohorts at North Fresno and one in Visalia, with one cohort at each location scheduled to begin in January.

Children in Fresno and Visalia got early Christmas presents courtesy of FPU and friends.

Volunteers distributed more than 700 pairs of shoes and socks December 13 at Bakman Elementary, Fresno, and 626 pair December 8 at Houston Elementary, Visalia. “We call it Soled Out for Kids,” said Joan Minasian, director of community development at FPU and “shoe drop” organizer.

Other partners were KDUV 88.9 Christian radio, Neighborhood Church and The Word Community Church.